The Yaqi Ghost is probably a copy of the Paradigm Salient

I initially thought that the Yaqi Ghost was an original design.  But on comparison, I now think I was wrong.  It is a copy of the Paradigm Salient with a flattened topcap.  The shaving geometry is the same on the .70, and almost the same on the .90.  The topcap has been flattened and the .70 has a scalloped safety bar, but otherwise it is functionally the same.  Of course they didn't copy the handle.  Yet.  That is the danger of having your work done in China.  They will steal your designs.  But they do make excellent copies, and their polishing is second to none.

Of course they didn't copy the handle.  Yet.

For the handle, they ripped off the Yates 'Merica design.

Left: Yaqi Ghost
Right: Yates 'Merica

Stickshift To my surprise the Chinese have not yet appropriated the Stirling razors or handles.

I initially thought that the Yaqi Ghost was an original design.  But on comparison, I now think I was wrong.  It is a copy of the Paradigm Salient with a flattened topcap.  The shaving geometry is the same on the .70, and almost the same on the .90.  The topcap has been flattened and the .70 has a scalloped safety bar, but otherwise it is functionally the same.  Of course they didn't copy the handle.  Yet.  That is the danger of having your work done in China.  They will steal your designs.  But they do make excellent copies, and their polishing is second to none.

The problem with your post is that the Paradigm Salient, while machined in China was polished by Paradigm here in the USA. I am sure China can do good polish work.

I initially thought that the Yaqi Ghost was an original design.  But on comparison, I now think I was wrong.  It is a copy of the Paradigm Salient with a flattened topcap.  The shaving geometry is the same on the .70, and almost the same on the .90.  The topcap has been flattened and the .70 has a scalloped safety bar, but otherwise it is functionally the same.  Of course they didn't copy the handle.  Yet.  That is the danger of having your work done in China.  They will steal your designs.  But they do make excellent copies, and their polishing is second to none.

The problem with your post is that the Paradigm Salient, while machined in China was polished by Paradigm here in the USA. I am sure China can do good polish work.

Andy never planned to polish razors here, it was driven out of how the parts are delivered. He received the golden samples then he received production quality.

I initially thought that the Yaqi Ghost was an original design.  But on comparison, I now think I was wrong.  It is a copy of the Paradigm Salient with a flattened topcap.  The shaving geometry is the same on the .70, and almost the same on the .90.  The topcap has been flattened and the .70 has a scalloped safety bar, but otherwise it is functionally the same.  Of course they didn't copy the handle.  Yet.  That is the danger of having your work done in China.  They will steal your designs.  But they do make excellent copies, and their polishing is second to none.

The problem with your post is that the Paradigm Salient, while machined in China was polished by Paradigm here in the USA. I am sure China can do good polish work.

Andy never planned to polish razors here, it was driven out of how the parts are delivered.  He received the golden samples then he received production quality.

I guess I was right about China not being able to polish the parts.

The problem with your post is that the Paradigm Salient, while machined in China was polished by Paradigm here in the USA. I am sure China can do good polish work.

Andy never planned to polish razors here, it was driven out of how the parts are delivered.  He received the golden samples then he received production quality.

I guess I was right about China not being able to polish the parts.

I wouldn’t say that at all.  I would say that often you get one machine shop that subs this work out to smaller shops.  The smaller shops probably don’t have the equipment of the original shop.  They also probably have dirtier processes so polishing from there is a big deal.  

I would summarize it like this - making 100-2000 razors per run to a Chinese machine shop isn’t enough volume to get what we expect here.  

Maybe at 10-20K pieces it gets a little more interesting.

It is also so very difficult to manage from here. Culturally it is nearly impossible unless you had many business dealings and long term relationships in China before you had some razors made there.

Andy never planned to polish razors here, it was driven out of how the parts are delivered.  He received the golden samples then he received production quality.

I guess I was right about China not being able to polish the parts.

I wouldn’t say that at all.  I would say that often you get one machine shop that subs this work out to smaller shops.  The smaller shops probably don’t have the equipment of the original shop.  They also probably have dirtier processes so polishing from there is a big deal.  

I would summarize it like this - making 100-2000 razors per run to a Chinese machine shop isn’t enough volume to get what we expect here.  

Maybe at 10-20K pieces it gets a little more interesting.

It is also so very difficult to manage from here.  Culturally it is nearly impossible unless you had many business dealings and long term relationships in China before you had some razors made there.

I guess is you are Apple, there is sufficient leverage to control the manufacturing in China. If you are a small company like Paradigm, that relationship is far more difficult to manage.

It is apple and oranges from my experience. The Ghost Ti .70 is nothing like the Salient. Even the angle is not the same. I can’t speak for the .90 stainless as I haven’t tried that one. The only copy i see is the handle. The head looks different, feels different, even different exposure and material. I enjoyed the Ghost Ti more than the Salient. It is the more forgiving razor. To each their own. Ymmv. The Ghost Ti reminds me more of my Drakkant Ti if anything. This razor(Ghost Ti) is top tier all the way and shaves as good as my $500 razors. Facts, for my sensitive skin anyways. 

*Small caveat - I do believe that this razor, Ghost Ti is inspired by the Paradigm Salient but no way a copy.

Mini review I posted from SoTd for AQU 

To be honest I thought the Ghost Ti would of been a catch and release. It is now definitely in my rotation. I love this razor. It is mild yet very efficient. Perfect amount of blade feel for my skin type. It sort of reminds me of Drakkant Ti, but I like the shaving angle on the Ghost more.  No irritation but a beautiful Bbs. It is not a 2 pass razor like the Blackbird, but after 3 passes its same BBs results. My Bbs lasted surprisingly long, as long as my Ti Wr2 1.35. Highly recommend it.